The Wright Place and the Wright Times

Monday, August 24, 2009

My best little friend for the past 17 years finally gave up the fight this morning. Buddy was the best cat that ever was. We got Buddy when I was a sophomore in high school. He was a gift for my sister from her date for a dance. I still remember seeing that little fur ball come running at me for the first time. He had the cutest little face and the best personality. He always knew when someone did not like cats and made it his mission to change their mind. He worked his magic on my dad who eventually gave him his name. I think we were considering the name Bear or something like that but my dad said, "no, this guy is a little Buddy!" Though he was technically my sisters cat, I was attached to him like my own. When I got engaged to be married, I had a moment of cold feet and started to get very homesick. My sister walked in and said, "I was going to save this for your wedding day, but I want you to have Buddy!" That solved it, I knew if Buddy could come with me, I could make it through anything. Ryan had to bribe our landlord $100 to let us bring the cat but I would have paid 100 times that, it was well worth it. I credit Buddy for saving my life on several occasions. He just knew me and knew when to force himself on my lap and make his presence known.

Buddy endured his own challenges. It took him several years to win over Ryan's love. Along with that fight came many assisted trips down the stairs, into walls, off couches, etc. He had his whiskers cut, tape on his paws, attempted double back flips. Most people that entered our home wanted nothing to do with Buddy. There were those who refused to come to the house because we had a cat. They never understood what a magnificent, loyal friend he was. That little animal was better to me than most humans could ever dream of. I am certain Buddy endured it all to be there for me. That cat loved me so much!!!

Buddy has not been himself these past few months. He could not be the cat he was used to being and it was hard to watch. Our neighbors here in Iowa fell in love with Buddy immediately and tried to help nurse him back to health. They came to us last night and said they did not think Buddy was going to make it through the night. I had Ryan go bring him home. I laid by him on the couch all night. He gave up his fight around 5am this morning. Buddy was a part of my life for more than half my life to this point. I will miss him everyday! We love you Buddy!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

I have received several threatening emails and phone calls wanting me to post some pictures of the house. I have mentioned to several people that we have a lot of before and during pictures of projects but nothing I can call finished. Well my sister and her superhero husband came to visit for a week and man did they leave a mark. My sister and I took on a little project on our own and am proud to say, it is the first mostly finished project in the house. The reason I say mostly finished is because the floor still needs to be redone but we will wait to do that when we do the kitchen floor so it is a seamless floor.

Anyway.....here is the before picture of our wonderful half bath.

There are several things I would like to point out about this bathroom. First of all, that is not tile on the walls, it is vinyl flooring. Sweet huh? Next, this bathroom is on the first floor and that window offers ZERO privacy from the neighbors when they are on their second floor. I am certain they have seen a lot of "crack" up to this point. Next, the faucet. It never really turns off. Then there is the light. It is a fluorescent light and there is a ten second delay from when you push the button, yes I said button, to turn it on and when it actually decides to shed some light. And last but not least, the beautiful black, white and grey cabinetry. There are several nay-sayers out there that might argue, well at least there is storage. This bathroom is the size of a coffin, storage is the least of my concerns. I am just saying......

Now brace yourselves, this is the after.

Nikki and I gutted the place. We hung bead board where there once was vinyl. I rewired the light switch to be an actual switch and changed out the light to one that works. The sink is new with a faucet that is actually operational. A fresh coat of paint and a set of $15 blinds and presto, a brand new bathroom. I still need to "accessorize" but I thought I would share the progress so far. I sit in this bathroom to escape the disaster we are living in everywhere else. It brings me peace. So, what do you think? Do you likey or should we go back to the black and grey color scheme?

Monday, March 9, 2009

Payton was a very brave girl at the doctors office today. We decided to get her kindergarten shots over with early. She got 4 shots and a finger poke today. The nurses took one look at her scrawny little arms and opted to go with the legs. She only cried for a minute and I was so very proud of her. Afterwards, we went to Wal-mart to cheer her up then went to McDonalds for lunch. Of course, she made me carry her everywhere because her legs apparently were no longer able to function. Must be some weird side effect of the immunizations or something. I think they effect princess's in a different way than normal children. I will have to read up on that. I was extremely impressed with her bravery during the whole process, however, and am just really glad to have all that over with.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

It is official, as of 3:38pm, Iowa time, we became the proud owners of a 1920 Victorian home. We are multi-home owners. Yipee!!! We are so excited but still a little in awe. I was not sure this was ever going to happen. I think I am in the biggest shock because it was so easy with Wells Fargo. There were no hoops to jump through, no letters to write, no begging, no pleading, no explaining. It was such an extreme opposite of our Countrywide experience.

It is ours, all ours. Now the real work begins.............to be continued!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

So I have a very talented sister who is great at photo editing. I sent her some pictures I snapped of Maggie and they came back looking like this......Simply.....ADORABLE! Thanks Nik, you are the bestest!!!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

I will give you all a glimpse of the house we are fighting so hard for. Maybe now you will understand my determination.That is all you get for now. I will let your imaginations do the rest for a bit. I would hate to torture you too much in case we don't get it. Plus I need to take better pictures of the inside. There will be amazing before and after photos if I am able to get my paws on this place and make it our own.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Here are the latest and greatest pictures of the kiddos. We took these just before making the 40 minute trek to church. I just had to take a picture of the girls in their matching outfits with matching bows. Cute stuff!! Payton's clothes ended up being a little big but I guess they will just last her longer, right? Maggie did not want to sit still for the picture so this is the best we could do. Payton was holding on with all her might to keep Maggie there and still keep that picture perfect smile Payton always brings to a photo.I had to also take a picture of my handsome little man with his new church shirt. We had to get him one with long sleeved. Have I mentioned before that it is cold in Iowa? Just wondering! Anyway, this is the only picture I managed to capture where he was not pulling a goofy face. He prefers to show the artistic impressionistic side of himself whenever the camera is out.

Well the smiles and happy day were short lived. Maggie started freaking out in Relief Society which never happens. After her screaming uncontrollably in the hall for 20 minutes, I dragged Ryan out of priesthood to help out. Maggie fell asleep on his shoulder within 1 minute, which also, never happens. She screamed and cried most of the car ride home, then the real fun began. Maggie got sick!!! She started throwing up about every 15 minutes for the next 6 hours. I have never had a baby get sick before besides a cold. This was sheer torture. She would fall asleep sitting up on our laps until the next bout of heaving. That night, the only way she was comfortable was sleeping on her belly with her knees underneath her and her bum in the air. The one good thing about having a sick child is......lots of snuggle time. That is looking at the glass half full, eh?